How does the pawn move in chess?

The pawn moves forward one square at a time (or two squares on its first move) but captures diagonally one square ahead. It is the only piece that cannot retreat, and upon reaching the far end of the board it promotes to another piece, most often a queen.

Two pawns sit one square apart diagonally. The white pawn can choose to move up one square, or capture the black pawn diagonally.

Two steps forward

From its starting position, a pawn may advance two squares forward in a single move, provided both squares are empty. This option disappears once the pawn has moved.

The black pawn advances two squares from its starting position in a single move. Engine-verified position, Elo 1170.

Promotion

Promotion is when a pawn reaches the farthest row from the starting side, and it must immediately become another piece: a queen, rook, bishop, or knight. Most players pick a queen because it is the most powerful piece. Choosing a rook, bishop, or knight instead is called underpromotion. It is rare, but sometimes a knight is the right choice because it can deliver check in a way a queen cannot.

The white pawn is one step from the back rank with nothing blocking its path. It advances and promotes to a queen.

En passant

En passant is a special pawn capture. It can only happen on the very next move after an opponent pushes a pawn two squares forward from its starting rank, landing beside your pawn on the same rank. Your pawn captures diagonally forward to the square the enemy pawn passed through, and the enemy pawn is removed from the board. If you do not capture en passant immediately, the opportunity disappears forever.

The white pawn advances two squares on its very first move. Now the black pawn is allowed to capture (en passant).

How do you take advantage of a pawn's strengths?

Here are practical ways to make the most of your pawns:

• Build a pawn chain (a diagonal line of pawns where each one protects the next) to control diagonals and limit your opponent's pieces. The base of the chain (the pawn farthest back) is the most important pawn to protect.
• Use pawns to gain space. Advancing pawns pushes your opponent's pieces backward and gives your own pieces more room to maneuver.
• Promote aggressively in endgames. When the board is nearly empty, a single pawn racing to the back rank can decide the entire game.
• Sacrifice a pawn to open a file. Sometimes giving up one pawn tears open a file or diagonal for your rooks or bishops to deliver attacks.

White sacrifices one pawn to draw the black pawn away, freeing the second pawn to advance and promote.

How do you defend against an opponent's pawn?

• The best way to stop an opponent's pawn is to block it. Place one of your own pieces directly in front of it; another pawn is ideal. A knight also works well as it jumps over other pieces, so the pawn blocking its path does not limit it.
• When facing a passed pawn, place your rook on the same file. This lets your rook control every square the pawn might advance to.
• Against a pawn chain, target the base. The base pawn is the one not protected by another pawn. If the base falls, the whole chain can collapse.
• Watch for en passant opportunities. If your opponent pushes a pawn two squares forward to avoid your pawn, you may be able to capture it immediately.
• In the endgame, use your king actively to stop enemy pawns. A king and pawn race often decides who gets to promote first.

The white pawn and the black pawn are racing to promote. The white king is able to capture the black pawn, and white will be able to promote shortly after.

See it in action

Example 1: Pawn captures three stars

Capture all three stars.

Solution: The white pawn captures diagonally in alternating directions, taking all three stars in three moves.

Example 2: Pawn promotion

Promote the pawn.

Solution: The white pawn advances one square on each turn, and promotes to a queen.

Frequently asked questions

Can a pawn move backward?

No. A pawn is the only piece in chess that can never move backward.

What happens when a pawn reaches the other side of the board?

The pawn must immediately be promoted to a queen, rook, bishop, or knight of the same color. You cannot leave it as a pawn, and you cannot make another king.

Can you have two queens at the same time?

Yes. If you promote a pawn to a queen while your original queen is still on the board, you play with two queens. There is no limit.

Are pawns really worth only 1 point?

Yes. A pawn is worth 1 point, compared to a knight or bishop at 3, a rook at 5, and a queen at 9. But don't overlook them, pawns can be very powerful.

Reviewed by Jules Schulman, FIDE Rating 1859